Use of Chemicals in Managed Forests

Although no significant expansion in area of intensively managed forest in the United States is anticipated in the future, increased management intensity on some Member company lands remains a key component of strategies for meeting demand for wood. Much of the world’s future incremental needs for industrial wood will likely come from plantations, which may require use of intensive practices such as repeated herbicide and fertilizer applications and reduced rotation lengths. Strengthening the body of technical information related to silvicultural chemicals and other intensive management practices would enable Member Companies to effectively meet economic goals while maintaining environmental and ecosystem services. NCASI staff will continue to provide technical support to assist Member Companies in maintaining access to silvicultural chemicals and intensive management systems to achieve wood production goals while meeting environmental expectations for working forest landscapes.

Use of Chemicals in Managed Forests

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Herbicide Use in the US and Canada

In commercial forestry, herbicides are used to control competing vegetation and improve timber productivity. Herbicides may also be applied in forest ecosystems to control invasive plants, create special features important to wildlife (e.g., dead trees), help restore native ecosystems (e.g., native pine- grasslands ecosystems), and manage early successional and savanna…